list_running_apps

List all running applications with name, bundle identifier, PID, and visibility.

SERVERAirMCP SOURCEairmcp

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/heznpc-airmcp/list-running-apps.md

WHAT IT DOES

What list_running_apps does on AirMCP

AI agents call list_running_apps to retrieve information from AirMCP without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

RISK

Why list_running_apps is rated Low

This tool queries the system state to retrieve information about currently running processes. It performs a read-only operation with no ability to modify, execute, or delete anything. The blast radius is minimal—disclosure of running apps could inform an attacker about system state but cannot directly cause harm.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'list_running_apps' and description 'List all running applications with name, bundle identifier, PID, and visibility' indicates data retrieval only.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs list_running_apps safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and AirMCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For list_running_apps, this is the rule to start with:

list_running_apps Allowed

list_running_apps is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "list_running_apps": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect AirMCP, apply this rule, and every list_running_apps call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about list_running_apps

What does the list_running_apps tool do? +

List all running applications with name, bundle identifier, PID, and visibility. It is categorised as a Read tool in the AirMCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on list_running_apps? +

Register the Air MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for list_running_apps: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches AirMCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is list_running_apps? +

list_running_apps is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit list_running_apps? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the list_running_apps rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block list_running_apps completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for list_running_apps. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides list_running_apps? +

list_running_apps is provided by the Air MCP server (airmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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